COMPUTER SALES & SERVICE

New USB 3.0

2010-01-20T12:23:00.000+08:00

New SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Finally arrives.The beauty of USB 3.0 is its backward compatibility with USB 2.0; you need a new cable and new host adapter motherboard that supports USB 3.0, but you can still use the device on a USB 2.0 port and achieve typical USB 2.0 performance. In reducing some overhead requirements of USB (now, the interface only transmits data to the link and device that need it, so devices can go into low power state when not needed), the new incarnation now uses one-third the power of USB 2.0.
The theoretical throughput improvement offered by USB 3.0 is dramatic -- a theoretical 10X jump over existing USB 2.0 hardware. USB 2.0 maxed out at a theoretical 480Mbps, while USB 3.0 can theoretically handle up to 5Gbps. Mind you, applications like storage will still be limited by the type of drive inside; so, for example, you can expect better performance from RAIDed hard drives or fast solid-state drives (SSDs) than from, say, a standalone single drive connected to the computer via USB 3.0.
USB 3.0 performance was on a par with eSATA but the benefit here is that it don’t need a power port, so you don't need to have another external power supply running to the drive

Archos 9 PC Tablet

2010-01-20T11:01:00.002+08:00

Specification:
9-Inch Touchscreen (1024 X 600)
Measures 256 x 134 x 17 mm
1GB DDR2 RAM
Intel Poulsbo US15W Graphics
1080p (full HD) Video Playback
60GB Hard Drive
Intel Atom Z510 1.1GHz Processor
Supports WiFi 802.11b/g
Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR
Optical Finger Navigation System
1.3 Megapixel Webcam
2 Built-in Speakers
Windows 7 OS
Weighs 800 Grams

Price is USD 500 / Rm 1800

Dell New Device

2010-01-20T10:56:00.004+08:00

It still not in the market yet. What is known about the device so far is that it has a 5 inch touch screen and a 5 megapixel camera with an LED flash. A SIM slot was also spotted, meaning it should have 3G data capabilities. Dell representatives were not divulging any more information on the hardware specifications. Likewise, pricing and availability information is also unknown.

The most interesting bit of information is that it will be running an Android operating system. This makes the Dell tablet the first portable tablet style device that isn't primarily a cell phone.

With the flexibility of an Android OS, this breed of tablet may become a competitor to the likes of the iPod Touch. With no hardware specifications yet known, it remains to be seen how it will stack up against the Apple iSlate. Not sure when it can be purchase in Malaysia...

ATI Radeon HD 5670 - The New Mainstream Warrior :: Articles :: www.hardwarezone.com®

2010-01-18T08:55:00.000+08:00

ATI Radeon HD 5670 - The New Mainstream Warrior :: Articles :: www.hardwarezone.com®

HDMI cable guide

2010-01-12T11:56:00.005+08:00

HDMI or High-Definition Multimedia Interface is an interface standard used for audio-visual equipments such as HDTVs or home theater systems. In just a few years it has become some sort of de facto standard for all HDTVs or other audio/video units. All latest DVD Players, Blu-Ray Player, Game consoles, PC and even laptops are having an HDMI Port built into them. They have some certain advantages such as ability to carry both high quality audio and video in a single cable in a digital format making those old analog cables obsolete. If you want to know anything about HDMI, read this guide to know everything you need to know about it.

(If your pc don't have HDMI port, just change the graphic card to latest one that have HDMI port.)

The History
The HDMI standard was founded by leading consumer electronics manufactures - Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Sony, Toshiba, Thomson and Silicone Image. Because of its HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliance, which provides copyright protection, it is also fully supported by major motion picture producers like Fox, Warner Bros, and Disney, as well as by system operators like DirecTV and EchoStar.

Key Features of HDMI
•It can handle both video and audio in a single cable.
•Very easy to set up. Even a child can do it with ease.
•Capability to handle High Quality of 1080p Video and 7.1 channel Audio.
•Ready for future higher resolution videos such as 1440p.
•Fully backward compatible with technologies such as DVI with the use of adapters.

Can I get the same quality of HDMI using analog cables?
Yes, you can get almost same quality, but that would need far more cables. The HDMI cables can transfer eight channels of 24 bit 192 kHz uncompressed audio for 7.1 surround sound. To get the same experience, you need to have eight separate cables for the same quality. Using component videos you can get almost the same quality in video but you need to have three cables for that.

What about HDMI cable length?
There is no official limits of the cable length. The HDMI cables can be made very cheaply using thinner wires but those wires provide reliable connections upto 5m. Using good quality materials and thicker wires you can get cables as long as 20m which would be enough for all of us.

Is there any different version of HDMI cables?
Yes, there are different versions of cables with newer versions supporting newer features. Version 1.4 is the latest but you can get a version 1.3 cable which is currently used by most of the devices.

Benefits of HDMI
•Provides enormous bandwidth upto 10.2 GBps which is more than twice the bandwidth needed to transmit a 1080p signal such as from a Blu-Ray Player.
•It can protect the data from Piracy using the HDCP protocol. Basically the protocol uses a handshaking mechanism to ensure that the data is transmitted between two authentic devices.

Our Suggestions about HDMI Ports and Cables
•You need not buy an expensive HDMI cables as the cables itself can’t improve or deteriorate the picture quality of the digital signals. A cheap cable under Rm 50 would be sufficient. However, if you are using cables greater than 5m length you might need to buy a more pricey cable as cheaper long length cables tend to show link failures with ’sparklies’ or dropouts in pictures which is very irritating.
•Before buying an LCD TV, check that there is at least two HDMI ports in it because you may need to connect your DVD players and your game console to your TV at the same time. Having at least two ports will ensure that you don’t need to switch them constantly to make place for the other.

eSATA Port Guide

2010-01-12T11:44:00.003+08:00

eSATA or External Serial ATA is now a common interface used to connect devices such as external hard drives to you computer. They have several advantages over the USB or FireWire or SCSI interfaces which is why they are finding their place in desktop computers as well as standard laptops these days. Here is a guide to help you understand the functioning and benefits of the eSATA Port.

Key Features and Benefits of eSATA
•Practical Data transfer rates are higher than the USB or FireWire Ports.
•Cheaper overall cost of ownership.
•It uses same protocol as the SATA which means you can use the SATA drives in eSATA with no or barely minimal modification.
•Some low-level drive features, such as S.M.A.R.T., may not operate through USB or FireWire bridging but will work with eSATA.
•Extra Layer of shielding ensures that there is no Electromagnetic Interference between devices
•The connectors are have a specified life of upto 5000 insertions and removals.
•More robust i.e. severe force is needed to break it.

USB or FireWire external Drives actually use a PATA or a SATA drive inside it and an external enclosure which includes a controller to translate the ATA or SATA protocol to USB or FireWire. This translation involves some delay and also an overhead for the translation which won’t be necessary if you use a eSATA interface with a SATA HDD within it.

The maximum cable length of eSATA cables is 2 meters & data transfer speeds are 150MBps or 300MBps depend on hard disk.

VGA Port Guide

2010-01-10T15:46:00.002+08:00

A VGA Connector is the most common port on any computer. It connects any standard monitor to the CPU or you can use this port on your laptop to connect an external monitor. It is also commonly known as RGB Connector, D Sub 15, mini sub D15 and mini D15 as it consist of a total of 15 pins in three rows. If you don’t know anything about this connector read our guide to know everything that you should know.

Key Features
•It is the most common connector found on most computer monitors, video cards and also HDTVs.
•The connectors and associated cabling carry analog RGB HV video signals along with digital clock signal and data.
•Supports Plug and Play Monitor detection.
•Robust connection secured by screws.

The 15 different pins has functions as follows.
The (1,6), (2,7), (3,8) pairs are use to convey the video signals of Red, Green and Blue colors respectively. The pin 13 and pin 14 are used for Horizontal and Vertical Syncing. The 5 and 10 pins are used as ground and other pins are of less importance to us.

DVI Port Guide

2010-01-10T15:34:00.002+08:00

DVI or Digital Visual Interface is an interface on your computer through which you can get very high quality display as it uses digital techniques compared to VGA Ports which uses analog system to transfer the display data. Using the DVI Ports, digital display devices such as LCD Monitors and LCD Projectors can display more accurate color tones and contrast levels.

Key Features
•It uses digital protocols which uses streams binary data about the illumination of each pixels.
•There is no possibility of any noise or brightness effects from adjacent pixels ensuring the sharpness of the images.
•No possibility to connect it in an incorrect position.
•It is partially compatible with HDMI in DVI-D Mode and VGA in DVI-A Mode.
•It also supports Display Data Channel or DDC and Extended Display Identification Data or EDID.

Apple Tablet

2010-01-05T11:54:00.002+08:00

Apple may have turned its nose up at the netbook market, but that doesn’t mean it’s ignoring the void between its $400 iPod touch (32GB) and $1,000 MacBook. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster believes Cupertino will launch a touchscreen tablet, priced in the $500 to $700 range, in the first half of 2010.

Rumors of an iPod-like tablet have been swirling for months, with some speculating that Apple is developing a large-screen iPod touch—say, a 7- to 9-inch touchscreen device—that would be large enough for HD movies and maybe a few desktop-style apps. Such a device would provide a better gaming experience than the iPod touch too.

But please don’t call it a netbook, a bargain-bin class of laptop that Apple execs have dissed as “junky.”

There’s no smoking gun in the latest report, but it does appear as though Apple is up to something. As reported by CNN, Munster’s sleuthing led him to conclude that an Apple tablet is only months away.

The signs include: Apple’s recent interest in chip designers, including the company’s acquisition of low-power chipmaker PA Semi a year ago; Apple’s efforts to add multi-touch features to its core products, including iPods, iPhones, and Macs; and the quintessentially Apple need to differentiate itself in an established market. (Think iPods, iPhones, Macs, etc.)

Admittedly, Munster’s evidence is pretty slim. But when combined with other reports, including one from the Chinese-language Commercial Times that says Taiwan-based Wintek will soon supply touch panels for an upcoming Apple subnote, an touchscreen tablet seems very possible.

One thing’s for sure: An Apple tablet, subnote, or whatever you want to call it, won’t copy the successful-if-unspectacular netbook formula of a shrunken laptop with a cramped keyboard and tiny screen.

There’s certainly a market for a portable media player larger than the iPod touch, iPhone, or other smart phones. But what would people pay for such a device? If Apple’s sweet spot is $700, the alleged tablet would need some fairly robust wireless communications and productivity tools too.

Apple would be foolish to ignore the growing netbook market, which is attracting more and more potential laptop buyers. Odds are, it won’t.

This article i copy form Pc world...
So i will take a wild before it available in Malaysia. Price still unknown.
I will update it later.

Microsoft Word sale prohibited as of Jan. 11

2009-12-29T17:41:00.002+08:00

Microsoft Word is now scheduled to be prohibited from sale beginning January 11, 2010. The good news: Microsoft has promised a fix, one which will be rolled out before the deadline arrives.

If you don't understand, you might have simply missed this story, or dismissed it as something that Microsoft would ultimately use its considerable clout to have pushed under a legal rug.

But it's no joke. In August of this year, a court sided with a small Canadian company called i4i that holds a 1998 patent on the way the XML language is implemented, finding that Microsoft was in violation of that patent. The result: Microsoft was told to license the code in question from i4i or reprogram it, or else Microsoft Word would have to be removed from sale in the market. The original ruling gave Microsoft until October to get its legal affairs in order, but appeals pushed that out a bit.

Now a federal court has upheld that original ruling -- plus a fat, $290 million judgment against the company -- imposing the new January 11 D-Day on the matter. Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office will both be barred from sale as of that date -- though naturally you'll still be able to use copies of Word and Office that you already own, and Microsoft will be allowed to keep supporting those copies.

Unless Microsoft ships the promised technical workaround very quickly, things are going to get extremely dicey in the computer world, and fast. Not only will retail outlets selling shrinkwrapped copies of the software be affected, computer manufacturers (who complained loudly about this injunction when it was announced) who bundle Word and Office on the computers they sell will also be seriously impacted by the ruling.

There's always a chance things will change again as the January 11 deadline approaches, but if your company requires Word or Office to keep operations running, it might not be a bad idea to stock up on a few extra copies now.

NOTEBOOK BUYING GUIDE

2009-12-24T22:35:00.002+08:00

Notebook has become must have accessory for modern life. Most user prefer notebook then PC
As more user choose notebook, manufacture have launch more & more model to suite demand & budget. This is simple guide for user to choose the best notebook to suite them
Either student or home user,low prices are the first choice then portability comes second. A laptop that can be carried from class to class is key, so many students turn to low-cost Notebooks, which are small, low-power systems that generally cost less than Rm1500. The downside is that these have small screens and generally use underpowered single-core CPUs (Intel Atom). Example: Dell Inspiron Mini 10V or Acer Aspire One D250 or HP mini 110-1000 PC series.

Spec:
Intel® Atom™ Processor N280
• 1.66 GHz, 512 KB L2 Cache, 667 MHz FSB
RAM 1GB memory
Screen 10.1” Diagonal SD LED Anti-glare Widescreen Display
Product weight 1kg-1.3 kg

Another option is a 13 or 14 inch laptop, which is less portable, but makes for a better experience when sitting down to write papers and do research. These have dual-core CPUs and often include optical drives. Notebook cost from Rm1500 to Rm 2000 Example: Dell Inspiron 13, Dell Inspiron 14, Compaq Presario CQ40, Compaq Presario CQ45, Compaq Presario CQ50 series.

My notebook - Windows 7 compatibility test result

2009-12-22T16:23:00.017+08:00

I have post this before without testing it. I decided to test it on my notebook

To see if your PC is ready for Windows 7, download the free Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor. It scans your PC for potential issues with your hardware, devices, and installed programs, and recommends what to do before you upgrade

Click here to scan your PC for compatibility

This is the result tested on my Notebook

After click above link it directed to Microsoft download site.

I download the files to my desktop & run it.

Have to agree before you can install

Finish & launch the program. I displayed result & my system compatibility issue

The result show that my system is not compatible to run Windows 7

My conclusion:
Before you decide to upgrade to windows 7 please to the system check to make sure your system capable to run this new OS.

PC Hardware Components - Network Card

2009-12-17T11:21:00.004+08:00

Network card / LAN card is used to connect your PC to a Network. Some broadband modems also can be connected to the PC using LAN cards. Most of the new LAN cards are using a port called “Ethernet port” which is in the back of the card. Network cables are required to connect a PC with a LAN card to rest of the computers or to a broadband modem.

Now days there is new wireless network card to connect via WIFI

PC Hardware Components - Sound Card

2009-12-17T11:19:00.001+08:00

This computer hardware component is used to send the sound to your speakers. This is the card that you plug speaker cables. Sound card also built-in to the Mother Board in some PCs.
Having a quality sound card is a must for latest games and especially if you are using your PC to watch movies and listen to music.

PC Hardware Components - Graphics Card (VGA card)

2009-12-17T11:16:00.005+08:00

This is the device that sends the output to your monitor. You fix the monitor cable to the back of the VGA card (VGA port) in order to get the display. Please note that some of the computers have the VGA card built-in with the motherboard. You won't see a separate card for VGA in these computers.There are slots on the Mother Board to fix the graphics card. VGA card has its own memory to hold graphics and videos. It is important to have a VGA card with high memory if you want to play latest PC games.

PC Hardware Components - MotherBoard

2009-12-17T11:10:00.007+08:00

MotherBoard is the main circuit board inside your computer. All other PC computer parts are connected to specific slots on the Mother Board. Sometimes it is called as the Main Board. Motherboard has in-built chips. One of it holds the computer time. Motherboard also has a battery, which will enable it to function some tasks such as maintaining the system time even when the PC is switched off.

PC Hardware Component - Hard Disk

2009-12-17T10:58:00.006+08:00

Hard Disk is the computer's permanent storage capacity. Size of the Hard Disk determines how many files pr programs can be saved in your computer. Unlike RAM, you can store your files permanently in the Hard Disk until you remove them.
Ex: Take the example under above Memory section. Hard Disk is similar to the book, because the items written in the book are permanent.

PC Hardware Components - Memory or RAM

2009-12-17T10:55:00.002+08:00

RAM (Random Access Memory) holds all of the "active" information that the computer is using. Memory is empty when your PC is switched off Then each program or data file used grab part of the system memory. When you close a program the memory grabed by that program is freed up. Generally, the more memory your system has, the more things you can do with it simultaneously. Increasing the amount of memory in the system also improves performance in most cases.
Even though it is a Computer hardware component, RAM is also like humen memory. Imagine you are reading a book. When you start reading a book the content of the book remains in your memory. But it goes away when your attention goes to somewhere else.

PC Hardware Components - The Processor

2009-12-17T10:30:00.002+08:00

This is the "brain" of your Computer. An extremely sophisticated piece of miniaturized electronics, the processor (often called the CPU or Central Processing Unit) is at the bottom of all tasks the PC performs. The processor reads instructions (commands) from memory that tell it what it needs to do to accomplish the work that the user wants, and then executes them. Intel is one of the major manufacturers of Computer processors.
Ex: Intel Pentium III 400GhzIn this example Intel is the manufacturer. Pentium is their product type (Intel manufacture Celeron range as well). "III 400Ghz" is the processor speed. So Pentium "IV 200 Ghz" is faster than "III 400Ghz".

9 ways to increase the security of your laptop

2009-12-16T09:38:00.000+08:00

Using your laptop to get work done away from your office or on the road is becoming widely accepted. But this rapid growth in laptop computing has made portable systems the target for theft around the world. If your laptop computer is stolen, company information can be exposed, as well as your personal and financial information.

Use these 9 tips to learn how you can keep your laptop more secure when you're on the road.

1. Avoid using computer bags
Computer bags can make it obvious that you're carrying a laptop. Instead, try toting your laptop in something more common like a padded briefcase or suitcase.

2. Never leave access numbers or passwords in your carrying case
Keeping your password with your laptop is like keeping the keys in the car. Without your password or important access numbers it will be more difficult for a thief to access your personal and corporate information.

3. Carry your laptop with you
Always take your laptop on the plane or train rather then checking it with your luggage. It's easy to lose luggage and it's just as easy to lose your laptop. If you're traveling by car, keep your laptop out of sight. For example, lock it in the trunk when you're not using it.

4. Encrypt your data
If someone should get your laptop and gain access to your files, encryption can give you another layer of protection. With Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 you can choose to encrypt files and folders. Then, even if someone gains access to an important file, they can't decrypt it and see your information. Learn more about how to encrypt your data with Windows XP, encrypt your data with Windows Vista, or encrypt your data with Windows 7.

5. Keep your eye on your laptop
When you go through airport security don't lose sight of your bag. Hold your bag until the person in front of you has gone through the metal detector. Many bags look alike and yours can easily be lost in the shuffle.

6. Avoid setting your laptop on the floor
Putting your laptop on the floor is an easy way to forget or lose track of it. If you have to set it down, try to place it between your feet or against your leg (so you're always aware it's there).

7. Buy a laptop security device
If you need to leave your laptop in a room or at your desk, use a laptop security cable to securely attach it to a heavy chair, table, or desk. The cable makes it more difficult for someone to take your laptop. There are also programs that will report the location of a stolen laptop. They work when the laptop connects to the Internet, and can report the laptop's exact physical location. One such tracing program is ComputracePlus.

8. Use a screen guard
These guards help prevent people from peeking over your shoulder as you work on sensitive information in a public place. This is especially helpful when you're traveling or need to work in a crowded area. This screen guard from Secure-It is just one example of a screen guard you could use.

9. Try not to leave your laptop in your hotel room or with the front desk
Too many things have been lost in hotel rooms and may not be completely secure. If you must leave your laptop in your room, put the "do not disturb" sign on the door

Office 2010 Tool Compatibility

2009-12-07T10:06:00.004+08:00

Chack you pc compatibility before download

Compatibility Inspector

new office

2009-12-07T09:59:00.002+08:00

Microsoft office 2010 beta release

download it

Microsoft security updates

2009-12-07T09:53:00.000+08:00

latest security update

Find out if your PC can run Windows 7

2009-12-03T14:28:00.004+08:00

What is System Restore?

2009-12-03T14:22:00.001+08:00

System Restore helps you restore your computer's system files to an earlier point in time. It's a way to undo system changes to your computer without affecting your personal files, such as e‑mail, documents, or photos.

Sometimes, the installation of a program or a driver can cause an unexpected change to your computer or cause Windows to behave unpredictably. Usually, uninstalling the program or driver corrects the problem. If uninstalling does not fix the problem, you can try restoring your computer's system to an earlier date when everything worked correctly.

System Restore uses a feature called System Protection to regularly create and save restore points on your computer. These restore points contain information about registry settings and other system information that Windows uses. You can also create restore points manually.

System Restore is not intended for backing up personal files, so it cannot help you recover a personal file that has been deleted or damaged. You should regularly back up your personal files and important data using a backup program.

•Open System Restore by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, clicking System Tools, and then clicking System Restore.‌ If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.